Saints Key Matchups to Watch at Falcons

Here are a couple things that could turn the tide as the Saints and Falcons renew their bitter rivalry this afternoon.

The New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons renew one of the NFL's most hotly contested rivalries this afternoon. It's also a critical game for both teams in the NFC South race. Both squads are coming off a bye week, with the 5-5 Saints in possession of first place and the 4-6 Falcons tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers right behind them.

This is the 109th meeting between the Saints and Falcons. The series is tied at 54 victories each and 27-27 when the games are played at Atlanta, site of today's clash. New Orleans has won the last three between these teams and 9 of the last 11 against the Falcons. The Saints have also won the last five times they've played in Atlanta. 

With only 85 points separating these teams in their series history, this is one of the NFL's most bitter and underrated rivalries. Just as with this rivalry, the only thing predictable about the 2023 Saints is their unpredictability. Here are a couple of highly critical matchups to watch in this important NFC South showdown. 

Cam Jordan/Carl Granderson vs. Kaleb McGary/Jake Matthews 

Jan 9, 2022; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) rushes the passer against Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76). Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY

Only Chicago and Carolina have fewer than the 18 sacks the Saints have recorded this season. As a result, New Orleans signed 13-year veteran edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul during the bye week. Pierre-Paul has 94.5 career sacks, 167 QB hits, and 21 forced fumbles. He'll be active today in hopes of injecting life into a listless pass rush that has left a talented secondary in coverage way too long.

Pierre-Paul could be a factor, but the Saints need production from their two starting ends, Carl Granderson and Cam Jordan. Granderson got off to a hot start but has cooled lately. Still, he leads the team with 5.5 sacks, 14 QB hits, and 10 tackles for loss. All three numbers are already the best of his six-year career. However, the defense needs him back to his early season form.

Jordan's lack of production is an even greater concern. The 13-year veteran still plays the run extremely well and has 17 pressures, tying Granderson for the team lead. However, Jordan has managed just two sacks, six QB hits, and two tackles for loss. 

A future Hall of Famer, Jordan has a resume' worthy of Canton against the Falcons alone. In his last 22 games against Atlanta, Jordan has 23 sacks, 40 QB hits, and 27 tackles for loss. He'll most often square off against RT McGary, a 2019 first-round pick. In eight head-to-head matchups with McGary, Jordan has nine sacks.

Dec 6, 2020; New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and causes a fumble. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Even without injured CB Marshon Lattimore, the Saints should be able to contain Atlanta's wideouts with CBs Alontae Taylor and Paulson Adebo. However, TEs Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith are a duo that could give New Orleans issues. Especially if the Saints need to blitz LB Demario Davis or a defensive back to generate pressure on QB Desmond Ridder.

Granderson will often face off against Matthews, a 2014 first-round selection. Both Atlanta tackles are better as run blockers than pass protectors. Jordan and Granderson must stay disciplined against the run and explosive rookie RB Bijan Robinson. Their ability to pressure Ridder, however, could force miscues that mean the difference in the game. 

Pete Carmichael vs. Ryan Nielsen 

Dec 18, 2022; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) takes a handoff from Taysom Hill (7) against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

First-year Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen had spent the previous six years as a defensive assistant with New Orleans. Aside from Sean Payton, there isn't an opposing coach in the league that knows offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael and the tendencies of both the Saints offense and head coach Dennis Allen better than Nielsen. Additionally, the Falcons also have former Saints David Onyemata, Kaden Elliss, Kentavious Street, and Albert Huggins on the defensive side. 

Nielsen has done an impressive job turning a Falcons defense that was a laughingstock for five years into an up-and-coming physical unit. The New Orleans offense, on the other hand, has come into several contests with unimaginative game plans. It's a unit that's crippled themselves with poor play-calling, poor execution, and self-inflicted mistakes. 

There are plenty of games where a team faces their former players or coaches. But the Saints have had issues all season with either coming into a game listless or having the inability to adjust to their opponents.

Pete Carmichael must find creative ways to get RB Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill involved and take advantage of favorable one-on-one matchups. Without injured WR Michael Thomas, Carmichael needs to devise ways for WRs Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed to open up the passing game. Nielsen is sure to test a suspect offensive line, so Carmichael must be able to combat this for QB Derek Carr to be effective. 

Sep 11, 2022; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY

Nielsen also knows Dennis Allen and his tendencies well, having worked under him for six years. Much of the New Orleans defensive personnel has remained the same. Will this affect how the Falcons are able to attack the Saints defensively? 

As always, the players have to execute on the field. However, this sideline chess match could be a big determining factor in who takes the latest edition in this bitter rivalry.

A physical Falcons team provides a test of character and litmus test for the Saints if they have any hope of taking the NFC South. It's also a quality-control test for both Dennis Allen and Pete Carmichael, who have too often been out-coached in key games or situations.